Zinedine Zidane targets trophies in his first season at Real Madrid

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has called a news conference amid reports that coach Rafa Benitez has been fired and replaced by former player Zinedine Zidane.

Benitez was sacked following an emergency board meeting on Monday after the club drew 2-2 with Valencia over the weekend to leave Los Blancos in third place in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and two behind Barcelona.

New Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is “excited” at the prospect of his first major managerial role having replaced Rafael Benitez at the Bernabeu.

The Frenchman had been coaching Madrid’s Castilla reserve team, but was promoted to the top job after Rafa Benitez was sacked on Monday.

I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well.

“We have the best club in the world, the best fans and what we have to do now, and what I will try my best to do, is ensure the team wins at the end of the season”, added Zidane.

“I want to acknowledge the dedication of Benitez during his time as coach of Real Madrid“.

Zidane’s first match in charge of Real Madrid comes on Saturday when they host Deportivo La Coruna at the Bernabeu.

“The important thing is tomorrow, to be with the team and to work”.

HEAD-BUTTING: Zidane’s career was marked by incredible skills on the field, with the ball seemingly glued to his feet, but also for the head-butting of Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final, which was his last worldwide game and shocked world soccer. “Thank you very much”.

Rafael Benitez was hired last summer in June to take over from Carlo Ancelotti.

Zidane’s assistant will be Santiago Solari, 39, who played alongside Zidane for Real from 2001-05.

Zidane would be the 11th coach to be appointed in during Florentino Perez’s 12-year presidency. “For you, the word impossible does not exist”, Perez concluded.

Real cruised through their Champions League group, winning five of their six matches and scoring 19 goals, but suffered embarrassment in the Copa del Rey when they were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

Meanwhile, Zidane has vowed to win a trophy this season as he took over at Real Madrid.